Spoilers Stranger Things - Season 3

[Mojochi]

I'm trying to remember, but did they even bother trying to explain how at the end of season 1, Eleven just vaporizes, but is wandering around the woods outside Hawkins for Hop to find?

One thing these guys aren't afraid of is just not being too specific, as a means of making it work. However, one thing they haven't done is fall prey to writing themselves out of corners in all the ways other shows have, which are what most of our suggestions have been. I think they know a lot of what we've been claiming is the case would be very disappointing. So hopefully they figure something out that doesn't undermine everything about Hop's final scene, with some cheap "Out". If they do have him back, it has to be earned some way

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm trying to remember, but did they even bother trying to explain how at the end of season 1, Eleven just vaporizes, but is wandering around the woods outside Hawkins for Hop to find?

Yes. As I've referenced a couple of times now, season 2 featured a flashback after the climatic battle in the classroom with El finding herself in the Upside Down. She wandered through the hallways until she found a portal that took her back to our world and then Hopper finds her in the woods.

 

[jaime]

I'm trying to remember, but did they even bother trying to explain how at the end of season 1, Eleven just vaporizes, but is wandering around the woods outside Hawkins for Hop to find?

One thing these guys aren't afraid of is just not being too specific, as a means of making it work. However, one thing they haven't done is fall prey to writing themselves out of corners in all the ways other shows have, which are what most of our suggestions have been. I think they know a lot of what we've been claiming is the case would be very disappointing. So hopefully they figure something out that doesn't undermine everything about Hop's final scene, with some cheap "Out". If they do have him back, it has to be earned some way

I think that’s half the reason why we had the post credits scene. He won’t be the first ‘presumed dead after end battle’ to come back, and it doesn’t even have to be ‘earned’ that hard, as it was and has been already signposted repeatedly. Not to mention, ol’ mrs Byers has seen enough dead dates now.

In related but unrelated news...what is the eighties movie where they tie the two keys together because someone can’t reach, I felt it itching my skull but couldn’t place it. I wanted say Spacecamp maybe, but I am not sure.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I certainly can see Brenner being the prisoner, especially since he was hinted as still alive in season 2. I say it's 50/50 him or Hopper, and if it is Brenner, I still think Hopper was zapped to the Upside Down, which will lead to a better understanding for the viewers what exactly is going on there.

In other news, to the surprise of no one, the show has officially been renewed for season 4.

 

[jaime]

I certainly can see Brenner being the prisoner, especially since he was hinted as still alive in season 2. I say it's 50/50 him or Hopper, and if it is Brenner, I still think Hopper was zapped to the Upside Down, which will lead to a better understanding for the viewers what exactly is going on there.

In other news, to the surprise of no one, the show has officially been renewed for season 4.

If Brennan was alive, Eleven would have found him. It’s sort of why (from a story perspective) Eleven had to lose her powers...otherwise she would look for Hopper and find him, wherever he was. Once (because there’s no way it’s an if) she gets her powers back, she will be able to do so. The question is...does that happen fast, and then the journey takes the time, or does that happen slow, and the journey go ahead early because of information received in other ways?
I would prefer the upside down explanation in many ways, but I do t think it’s likely. I think there may have been a journey through the upside down to get to Russia so fast (hence the lack of arrestable figures at the end, because the Russians got home very very fast.) but it’s ridiculously safe money to say that it’s hopper in there (it’s not like Hellboy will need him again, I didn’t think it did that well?) and we will find out probably next year.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The question is, what will they do with him now? Brainwash him? Turn him into a sleeper agent and send him back to Hawkins?

I could see that happening, as it would anti-climatic for Hopper to just be in reunion mode, and join the fight. The series loves playing with actual character-to-character conflict (instead of just being an EFX set piece), so a brainwashed Hopper around Eleven and Joyce (and how he deals with anyone trying to get in his way, for whatever purpose) could deliver much dramatic mileage in S4, but the reasons for his brainwashing has to mean more than his being another Billy (possessed, but ultimately evil to be eeevil).

 

[Jayson1]

You know I just had a idea that ties into the 80's. Hopper returns as Robocop. Hopper dies,sort of in the upside down but his body is recovered and put back together. Jason

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Finally finished it.

There’s a simpler way Hopper could have gotten to the upside down. After nodding to her he took his opening of a few seconds to make a mad dash for the gate, hopping through just in time before the boom.

He could be the prisoner if the Russians just found him there when they captured their demigorgon.

I liked the season overall quite a bit.

Other options for the identity of the prisoner, bald eagle or one of the other augments.

 

[Mojochi]

Yes. As I've referenced a couple of times now, season 2 featured a flashback after the climatic battle in the classroom with El finding herself in the Upside Down. She wandered through the hallways until she found a portal that took her back to our world and then Hopper finds her in the woods.

OH YEAH! Now I remember that! lol Wow that was so easy to forget. That's another thing about the early stuff, there were portals bloody everywhere! like I guess if Nancy goes digging around in a tree too long, oops... upsidedown. It's about time someone becomes a legit expert on it, & I'm hoping it's Hopper

I could see that happening, as it would anti-climatic for Hopper to just be in reunion mode, and join the fight. The series loves playing with actual character-to-character conflict (instead of just being an EFX set piece), so a brainwashed Hopper around Eleven and Joyce (and how he deals with anyone trying to get in his way, for whatever purpose) could deliver much dramatic mileage in S4, but the reasons for his brainwashing has to mean more than his being another Billy (possessed, but ultimately evil to be eeevil).

Yeah, with half the damn town getting possessed like Will & Billy already had been, we've kind of run that gag into the ground, for Hop to come back in that way, which is why I still think it would be cool to have a wholly different outcome, where he is legitimately affected, as a person, for having had to survive there. It's still Hopper, but he ain't the same no more. He's ALL fucked up from that shit. Think Alan in Jumanji meets Ripley in Aliens.

In fact, an interesting thing came to me today. if the next season follows to be 1986. The movie that was big at that time was Aliens. You just know that homage will be strong in it

In other news, to the surprise of no one, the show has officially been renewed for season 4.

Yup. It has to be the most popular show since Game of Thrones. I don't envy them the tightrope they'll be walking, & with the kids fast approaching full maturity, it's a gamble every season, but it's got a lot of love, & might be singlehandedly keeping Netflix in the black

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I could see that happening, as it would anti-climatic for Hopper to just be in reunion mode, and join the fight. The series loves playing with actual character-to-character conflict (instead of just being an EFX set piece), so a brainwashed Hopper around Eleven and Joyce (and how he deals with anyone trying to get in his way, for whatever purpose) could deliver much dramatic mileage in S4, but the reasons for his brainwashing has to mean more than his being another Billy (possessed, but ultimately evil to be eeevil).

Actually, I thought of a perfect reason for the Russians to send him back. Of course, we know they have a portal to the Upside Down. Of course, they'll probably have also been experimenting on kids like the lab did at Hawkins (probably to no avail). So, who better to infiltrate Hawkins than the guy who also has custody so Eleven. Eleven, who could provide a breakthrough in the experiments the Russians have been working on

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Also, I forgot to add, the grocery store they hide out in the finale really brought back some memories. The Real Ghostbusters cereal brought me back to my childhood and REALLY made me want a bowl

 

[NCC-73515]

hopping through just in time before the boom.

He's Hopper after all

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Also might be relevant that we're only a couple years from the final collapse of the Soviet Union. Some of that turnover could create some kind of opening to escape.

Or the Soviets could capture somebody Hopper cares about and force him to play double agent under threat of killing that person.

I'm not sure where they could go next besides mounting some kind of offensive in the upside down instead of waiting for the big bad to attack them.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Actually, I thought of a perfect reason for the Russians to send him back. Of course, we know they have a portal to the Upside Down. Of course, they'll probably have also been experimenting on kids like the lab did at Hawkins (probably to no avail). So, who better to infiltrate Hawkins than the guy who also has custody so Eleven. Eleven, who could provide a breakthrough in the experiments the Russians have been working on

That's a good idea, and under the cover of being her father, could argue that he needs to isolate her again (for her own "protection") when he's simply continuing the interests the Hawkins lab and the Russians had in Eleven all along. The heroes should not suspect Hopper immediately--in fact, some might buy his excuse (e.g. Mike and/or Joyce), since its undeniable that Eleven is a constant target.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I hope they don't go that route. El, Joyce, and the rest have gone through so much that they don't deserve to get back Hopper only for him to betray then because of brainwashing and/or coercion.

 

[Vger23]

I thought it was great.

I'm glad it was different in presentation and theme from the first two. I don't need more of the same. Keep shaking it up.

 

[theenglish]

I really think the show found its voice and style this season. Couldn't disagree more that anything went wrong.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Also thinking about the scene Robin came out to Steve. MUCH bigger risk in 1985 than 2019.

 

[eschaton]

Also thinking about the scene Robin came out to Steve. MUCH bigger risk in 1985 than 2019.

She was still on the truth serum, so I don't think she had much choice about coming out.

 

[JD]

I hope they don't go that route. El, Joyce, and the rest have gone through so much that they don't deserve to get back Hopper only for him to betray then because of brainwashing and/or coercion.

Yeah, I don't think I'd want to see Hopper brainwashed either. I'd rather see him get a big heroic return where he comes back to warn the about the new threat. I'd rather his arc just be having to adjust to being back home with everyone else.